house martins

waning10 · #1 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 07:57 PM

this is the first year that i have had house martins nest in my roof, however they havent built a nest it just looks like one from the front cos of the dreaded pebbledash, i had a camera in there for the first couple of weeks but it failed and i didnt want to distub anything, they are nesting in an old starling nest which is quite flat but the entrance looks like a small martin made hole, they have young and seem quite happy, i guess this isnt unusual but its totally glorious for me

cara pace · #2 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 09:20 PM

What lovely birds to have nesting - I'd be happy too!

We've just come back from a short break in the Lake District and there were so many martins around there. Whilst we were away, we saw a dead martin on the road. It must've only just been hit. I only saw it because it's little friend was stood next to it and wouldn't move away, it was so sad. I picked it up and moved it off the road, it hadn't stood a chance and I didn't want it's little friend to suffer the same fate.

It's a shame your camera isn't working, but hopefully they will nest there again next year and you will have many happy hours watching them!

rossy · #3 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 09:43 PM

hello waning 10 and welcome to the forum, are you sure they are house martins and not swifts ? its very unusual for house martins to nest in this way, normally they build under eaves or cliff faces, im not doubting you but i ve never heard or seen any do this before, rossy.

and yes i would love to have them nest on my house.

leon_heller · #4 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 09:59 PM

I doubt if they are house martins, as well. I once had two pairs build nests under the eaves of a new house after I had been there a couple of years. A lot of other houses were being built and I suppose it was easy for them to find clay to make the nests.

I think there is a superstition in some parts of the world that they bring good luck.

waning10 · #5 (**permalink**) 16-07-2010, 08:04 PM

for sure they are house martins, we have tons of swifts and house martins in our village and i do know the difference. I have been recording their twitterings for a long time. Its 100 percent that they have young and there is lots of lovely poo on the window sill and patio below, i dont want to get up into the loft again to set the camera as im worried it will upset them, if anyone knows better then i will. Any doubting thomases who reside in derbyshire can come and have a look and be made welcome, as i say they are martins and they havent made the nest themselves, thanks for your replies x